The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezra 8:22,
"The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him."
This was a statement Ezra had made about his God to the Persian king Artaxerxes. He points out the blessings we receive from God when we look to him, rely on him, when we place our faith in him, a well as the anger God expresses to all who reject him.
Ezra's observation reminds me of the truth Paul provides us in Romans 2:6-11, "God 'will repay each person according to what they have done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism."
A choice to be made and a consequence, either way, as a result of that choice. Not making the choice is a choice in itself and results in God's great anger, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:36.
For those who choose God, there is a great blessing Jesus spoke of, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24.
"The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him."
This was a statement Ezra had made about his God to the Persian king Artaxerxes. He points out the blessings we receive from God when we look to him, rely on him, when we place our faith in him, a well as the anger God expresses to all who reject him.
Ezra's observation reminds me of the truth Paul provides us in Romans 2:6-11, "God 'will repay each person according to what they have done.' To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism."
A choice to be made and a consequence, either way, as a result of that choice. Not making the choice is a choice in itself and results in God's great anger, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:36.
For those who choose God, there is a great blessing Jesus spoke of, "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24.
Simple and clear, isn't it?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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